Leominster man accused of running down rival outside bar is held without bail

Friday

Aug 16, 2013 at 2:38 PMAug 17, 2013 at 5:53 AM

By Brian Lee, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

LEOMINSTER — With premeditation and malice, the suspect in the death of an Auburn man in front of the Captain's Lounge used his Jeep Commander to drag the victim to his death, a prosecutor said Friday in Leominster District Court.

At the request of the prosecutor, Judge Maura K. McCarthy ordered Matthew S. Padovano, 33, held without bail on a murder charge.

Mr. Padovano is accused of killing David M. Szafarowicz, 33, of Auburn in front of Captain's Lounge, 1536 Main St., about 1 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3.

Wearing a blue shirt and khakis, Mr. Padovano, 33, of 6 McKinley Road, mostly looked down during his arraignment.

Assistant District Attorney Lisa Casella said a fight ensued between Mr. Padovano's girlfriend and members of Mr. Szafarowicz's party in the bar.

The short melee had simmered down, but erupted again a short time later, the prosecutor said.

Bouncers were able to get people out of the lounge and into the street, she said.

The investigation showed Mr. Szafarowicz got on his motorcycle, while Mr. Padovano and his girlfriend went to Mr. Padovano's vehicle.

Mr. Szafarowicz got off his motorcycle with his hands out, inside and up, in what the prosecutor said was a questioning gesture. He approached Mr. Padovano's vehicle.

Mr. Padovano stepped on the gas of his Jeep Commander, hitting the victim, Ms. Casella said.

Mr. Szafarowicz was stuck underneath the SUV and dragged for several feet.

Witnesses said the victim was dislodged when the driver slowed down.

Mr. Szafarowicz was left for dead, Ms. Casella said.

Mr. Padovano drove away quickly, hid the vehicle in a garage, wiped it of evidence and hid it with a tarp, Ms. Casella said.

When EMTs arrived, Mr. Szafarowicz was not breathing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The prosecutor also said Mr. Padovano had a history of defaults and violations of probation.

Nicholas C. Bazoukas, Mr. Padovano's lawyer, said his client viewed the incident as a tragedy, and gave a full statement to the district attorney's office two days after the death.

The lawyer said Mr. Padovano fully cooperated, has lived in the area all his life, and takes care of his child.

About a half dozen members of Mr. Szafarowicz's family were in court. They said they did not want to talk to reporters.

Mr. Szafarowicz's obituary said he lived on Oxford Street in Auburn and was an auto mechanic for Jim & Sons in Worcester. He left a number or relatives, including his wife, Justina Szafarowicz, and children: Joshua Szafarowicz of Webster, Damion and Alysha Szafarowicz of Auburn, Raya and Teagan Boudreau of Sudbury and Austin Pittman of Eastford, Conn.